12 Unique Things to do in Denver This Weekend

The year is wrapping up in a fast manner, and what better way to celebrate than enjoying some unique things to do in Denver. This weekend is full of Holiday inspired events, inspirational entrepreneurship talks, a sensory-friendly version of the Nutcracker and much more. Let’s check out what’s going on in the 303 this weekend.

Thursday, December 15

Holiday Rawk

The Lowdown: Enjoy a night celebrating artistry and entertainment at the City Hall music venue this Thursday at Holiday RAWk. This event will showcase all mediums of art, from fashion to performing arts, visual arts, live music and much more. This event is sponsored by Denver RAW Artists and is a great way to celebrate the holidays as well as a way to get a glimpse into the very diverse art scene home to the Mile High city.

-Sponsored-

FuckUp Nights Denver, Vol. 6

The Lowdown: Come learn about and celebrate failure with some of Denver’s most transparent business owners at FuckUp Nights Vol. 6 at the Globe Hall this Thursday. This global event allows for an open space for entrepreneurs to talk, take questions and celebrate the masked beauty in failed businesses and projects. The inspiring and informative event will feature talks from Braden Holt of IndiCard, Delanie Holton-Fessler of The Crafstman & Apprentice and Devon Kerns of FATE.love. Tickets are $10 and include a free PBR.

The Lowdown: The theatre experience can be powerful to anyone, especially those with sensory needs. The Colorado Conservatory of Dance is providing, for the third year in a row, a special show of the Nutcracker for these guests of honor. The performance will feel and look the same as a normal Nutcracker, and guests of honor will have the chance to meet some of the cast members after the show.

Krampus: A Haunted Christmas

The Lowdown: From the place that brings you the most frightening Halloween experience, a Krampus-inspired haunting story will transform the usually very merry holiday season into a frightening one at the 13th Floor Haunted House. Thrill seekers who despise the holiday season will be pleased with the twisted and ghoulish set-up the Krampus: A Haunted Christmas entails. Krampus is a darker side of the holiday story, a nightmarish demon, who steals both bad and good kids on Christmas. Bring a change of underpants, cause this will definitely be a different kind of holiday, spooky fun.

Friday Night Improv

Photo Courtesy of Event’s Facebook page.

When: Friday, December 16 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Where: Blush & Blu Denver – 1526 E Colfax, Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: Check out the power of women and diversity in improv this Friday at the Blush & Blu Denver. This power-filled evening of laughter and inspiration will provide a glimpse into how it is to be a woman in improv, and also show how influential they can be. The event will match vetted female improvisers with new improvisers to provide an evening full of laughs and insights. There will also be an open jam afterwards.

The People vs. Capitalism

Photo courtesy of the Event’s Facebook Page

When: Friday, December 16 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Where: McNichols Building – 144 W Colfax, Denver

Cost: $5 suggested donation, but no one will be denied for lack of funds

The Lowdown: Enjoy the beauty of democracy and the ability to have open, public debates this Friday as “The People take on Capitalism.” The event cordially invites the most interesting and challenging minds of the community for a night of debate in either prosecuting or defending the pillar of our economic philosophy: capitalism. You can participate as either a judge or jury in a pressing and intellectually challenging debate of the basic ideologies that make up the pillars of our economic system. There will be distinguished individuals of our community supporting either side of this contentious debate. A $5 donation is asked, but no one will be denied for lack of funds.

The Lowdown: These aren’t the skaters (droids) you’re looking for, or are they? Enjoy an evening of the force, whether you’re on the dark side or light, while roller blading at the Roll Skating Rink this Friday. Break out those ugly sweaters, Star Wars quotes and Chewbacca impersonations. It will be a night full of ugly Star Wars sweaters, people attempting to roller skate, karoake and dancing. Tunes will be provided by the intergalactic DJ Soup.

Saturday, December 17

Hipster Santa & Holiday Weekend

Photo by Jennifer Olsen Photography

When: Saturday, December 17 – 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: The Source Market Hall – 3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver

Cost: $25

The Lowdown: He sees you when you eat GMOs, he knows when you drove your car instead of riding your bike, he knows if you’ve been bad or good to Mother Earth so be sure to make it right. Hipster Santa is coming to RiNo for a day full of Holiday cheer, exploiting your gift list and of course, pictures. To get a picture, it’s $25, with $3 of each sale going towards Slow Food Denver. An extra $1 will be donated with every picture posted to social media with the hashtag #RiNoHipsterSanta. If you can’t make it Saturday, hipster Santa will also be there Sunday, of course after he’s finished re-reading Salinger and drafting his naughty or nice list.

5th Annual Denver Only Beer Festivus

Festivus at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. Photo by Kyle Cooper

The Lowdown: The Denver Only Beer Festivus is back for its 5th year of celebration for the booming craft beer scene here in the Mile High. In lieu for the tradition started by the cult-classic following of Seinfeld, the event encourages attendees to air personal grievances, participate in the feats of strength, pay respect to the Festivus pole and of course, make a cheers to the great beer home to the 303. Sponsored by Two Parts, the event encourages all Denver breweries to take part in an evening of celebration to the constantly evolving craft brewery scene here in the Mile High.

Denver Punk Rock Flea Market

The Lowdown: Get some holiday shopping done for that person on your list that just might enjoy the punk side of things. The Punk Rock Flea Market is back for its holiday edition, showcasing the artistry that is conceived from the punk scene. There will be food trucks, drinks and of course plenty of vendors. $5 for adults and kids get in for free.

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl

The Lowdown: Break out those Ugly sweaters and merry spirits for an evening of Holiday fun. The Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl will take place across participating bars in the LoDo area. Bars participating are Brothers, Hayters & Co, Cowboy Lounge and Denver Sports Column. Proceeds will benefit a local animal shelter, with amazing drink and food specials throughout each bar. Without a pub crawl wristband, each of the participating bars will require a cover.

Sunday, December 18

Midwinter Market

Photo Courtesy of Event’s Facebook page

When: Sunday, December 18 at 12 p.m.

Where: The Mercury Cafe – 2199 California St, Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: Shop for your favorite witch this Sunday at the Midwinter Market, filled with eclectic vendors and locally inspired items. There will be everything from pick-up spells, fine art, herbal medicine, jewelry, sweets, handmade notebooks and much more. There will also be a chance to win some cool surprises from vendors and community partners. A portion of the proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter 5280 and Showing Up for Racial Justice.

Michael is a recent CSU graduate and Staff Writer for 303 Magazine . Adventure and music fuels his soul. When Michael isn't creating a new secret playlist on his Spotify Account filled with his guilty pleasures, he can be found outdoors running, hiking or snowboarding. You can Check out his "Shuffle Mode" playlist here